For the adventurous… Horseback, BBQ, bowling, oh my!
Roses, chocolates, cards and dinner — the typical Valentine’s
Day routine. Romantic? Maybe. Overdone? Most likely. So, for all the adventurous
types out there, here are some places to go and things to do that may
not scream romance, but will make for a nice time off the beaten path.
First, head to Keezlenutten Farm for a horseback trail ride with that
special someone.
"We’ll be open the weekend before Valentine’s Day,"
Farm Manager Corena Knicely said. "We’ve had people visiting
on their honeymoons and we had an engagement ride this past year. It’s
an unusual and interesting date to enjoy the outdoors on horseback."
Just call two hours ahead of time, Knicely added, because the one-hour
rides on Massanutten’s western slope are by reservation only.
Next, see the other side of the mountain and hit the slopes at Massanutten
resort. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday, lift tickets go
cheap. Ski or snowboard all day for $37 or check out the snow tubing park,
where two-hour sessions run for $18.
All that activity will work up an appetite, so hop in the car and drive
north on Route 11 to the Bar-B-Q Ranch, where diners can eat in the pig-themed
dining room, or take advantage of curb service and have barbecue and curly
fries brought right to the car, drive-in style.
Next, take that date on a skate down memory lane at Fun Zone skate center.
"Going to Fun Zone is like time travel," senior Abe Gibson
said. "Stepping through the door is like being transported back to
the ’80s and all those skating parties everyone had. It would be
a pretty funny date for something different."
For the truly adventurous, Fun Zone is planning an all-night skate for
the Friday before Valentine’s Day.
Finally, slip into some snazzy bowling shoes and roll the night away
at Valley Lanes.
Joe Claypool, Valley Lane’s manager, said nothing unusual is planned
for Valentine’s evening other than the regular Monday night discount.
"It’s a normal league night," he said. "It’s
just a normal $1.25 a game night."
So this year, don’t let the roses and chocolate win out. Take a walk on the wild side of Valentine’s Day and have some fun.
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